WSU chapel renovation not just local news

Describing the controversy over Wichita State University’s Grace Chapel as “an object lesson in how social media can create a tempest in a teapot,” Kansas City Star columnist Mary Sanchez observed that it took upset WSU alumni six months to notice the renovation that had removed the interfaith chapel’s pews and added Muslim prayer rugs. She also wrote that alumni “who are good stewards understand that they shouldn’t meddle by imposing their prejudices,” and she quoted a Facebook statement by WSU president John Bardo, who now plans to have WSU vice president Eric Sexton gather concerns and ideas for the chapel’s furnishings and use: “Our goal should be exactly what Mrs. Grace set out to do in her gift, to have an all faiths chapel that is welcoming to all religious groups on campus.” Unfortunately, the story has inspired comment from less cool heads, too, such as radio host Todd Starnes, who called the renovation “Christian cleansing” in a Fox News website commentary. – Rhonda Holman